Short Wave News –
The K7RA Solar Update
We’ve seen average daily sunspot numbers for this reporting week. Since last Thursday through Wednesday this week, the numbers rose more than 9 points to 28; the average solar flux slipped more than 2 points to 81.9. Geomagnetic indices were a tiny bit lower. Sunspot numbers for January 21-27 were 17, 30, 40, 32, 34, 28 and 15, with a mean of 28. The 10.7 cm flux was 82.6, 82.4, 84.6, 84.6, 81.2, 79.8 and 77.8, with a mean of 81.9. The estimated planetary A indices were 4, 2, 4, 4, 3, 3 and 2, with a mean of 3.1. The estimated mid-latitude A indices were 4, 2, 4, 2, 3, 1 and 0, with a mean of 2.3. The predicted solar flux for January 29-31 is 76, 80 on February 1-2, 82 on February 3-5 and 88-89 for the following five days. We don’t see any geomagnetic upset predicted until February 16, with the planetary A index only rising to 10, which is hardly an upset.
Former ARRL President Named QCWA President Emeritus
Harry Dannals, W2HD — who led the ARRL as President from 1972-1982 and was named ARRL President Emeritus in 1984 — has been named President Emeritus of the Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA). Dannals also served as President of QCWA from 1989-1994; he is the only person to ever serve as President to both organizations. In addition to his work with the QCWA and ARRL, Dannals is a Fellow in the Radio Club of America (RCA), a member of the Society of Wireless Pioneers (SOWP), the Old Old Timers Club (OOTC) and the Veteran Wireless Operators Association (VWOA). In 2002, he was inducted into the CQ Magazine Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. “I was pleased to learn that the QCWA’s leadership has conferred upon Harry Dannals this very well-deserved accolade,” said ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN. “As the only person to have served as President of the ARRL and the QCWA, he is unique among amateurs.”
FCC Notes Amateur Radio Response to Haitian Earthquake
In a posting on January 28 to the FCC’s blog, Mindel DeLaTorre — the Commission’s International Bureau Chief — noted how Amateur Radio operators are assisting with communications support in earthquake ravaged Haiti. “The amateur radio community is also contributing to the relief efforts,” she wrote. “In the aftermath of the earthquake, the amateur radio community in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and elsewhere has dedicated equipment and spectrum resources to the relief efforts.” DeLaTorre reiterated that those who want to assist in the relief effort must go through the proper channels: “For anyone wanting to help, to protect against harmful interference, it is important to go through the Haitian government before any radio equipment or spectrum resources are used in Haiti.”